Rocking a new experience
Kentville curlers heading to Scotties Tournament of Hearts
Two Glooscap curlers are about to embrace a first-time experience.
The Mattatall team has two Glooscap Curling Club members on the front-end - Jill Alcoeholland and Andrea Saulnier – who will attend the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in St. Catherine’s, Ont. from Feb. 18 to 26.
This is the first time Kentville curlers have made it to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
Team Mattatall had an impressive recent 6-1 record at the Scotties Provincial play downs in Halifax before defeating defending champ Jill Brothers in the final 10-4 in seven ends.
The team, which plays out of the Windsor Curling Club, played consistently all week as they remained at the top of the field, Alcoeholland said.
“The field was very close,” she noted. “It came down to the last shot.”
As they prepare for the Scotties, the retired teacher said the team will be competing for the provincial senior women’s title.
“Rumour has it we will be the oldest team to participate in the Scotties Tournament of Hearts this year and maybe the oldest ever,” says Alcoe-holland.
She noted the average age of the women on the team is 58.5.
Skip Mary Mattatall and her third, Marg Cutcliff, belong to the Mayflower Club in Metro Halifax. According to Alcoe-holland, the foursome decided to meet in Windsor to practise this year.
“That means they get the banner,” she noted. The two Halifax curlers have played in the Scotties before, Alcoe-holland said, “but we had never played at the nationals. You’ll be able to watch it on TV.”
Bruce Lohnes is coaching the curlers. Alcoeholland expects he will be helpful making decisions about match stones. The alternate on the team is Julie Mcevoy.